WEB DESK
In the first ever District Development Council (DDC) election in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP has emerged as the single-largest party with 75 seats while the Gupkar alliance has emerged victorious with 112 seats after sweeping Kashmir.
This was the first democratic exercise in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories last year.
Out of 280 District Development Council DDC constituencies, result of 276 seats has been declared. BJP is leading the tally with 74 seats followed closely by J&K National Conference with 67 seats.
Independents have won 49 seats, Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party 27, Indian National Congress 26 while J&K Apni Party has bagged 12 seats and J&K People’s Conference 8 seats.
CPI(M) has got 5 seats while JKPM bagged 3 seats and J&K National Panthers Party and PDF won two seats each.
Bahujan Samaj party(BSP) has won one seat.
Gupkar maintains hold on Kashmir Valley and Muslim-majority pockets of Jammu
The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has registered a massive victory in its bastion Kashmir Valley. The Gupkar alliance has also maintained its hold in many Muslim-dominated areas of Jammu division. The alliance has bagged the No. 1 position in Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri districts although it is short of majority. The decision of Kashmir-based political parties to join hands has worked in their favour. Had they contested separately, BJP could have won 3-4 more seats in the Kashmir valley. Coming together of these parties also prevented the division of Muslim votes in many districts of Jammu and thus preventing BJP’s victory.
BJP makes entry in Kashmir Valley
Although BJP has won just three seats in the Kashmir Valley, its significance is huge. BJP was always seen as an untouchable party in the Valley. BJP won three seats in three different regions of the valley. One in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, one in Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district and one in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Clearly, the BJP has gained toehold if not a foothold in all three regions of the Kashmir Valley.
Independents emerge as big gainers
Independents have emerged victorious on 49 seats. They are going to play the role of kingmakers in Ramban and Kishtwar districts. Independent candidates have also emerged as winners and not just kingmakers in Srinagar and Poonch districts. In Srinagar, independents have won seven out of 14 seats and another seven out of 14 seats in Poonch district.